Studio
From Online Video to Eight-Figure Picture Deal
2/11/2010 at 11:05 AM by Suraj Das
Imagine this: you've just mastered shooting on a new digital-SLR or compositing using some new killer-app. You decide to drop a few hundred bucks to throw together a short video that demonstrates your newly acquired skills, and then you upload your finished piece to Massify, YouTube, Vimeo, or all three. A few days later, your inbox nearly explodes with e-mails from Hollywood executives and agents; they would all like to offer you a few million dollars and help develop your idea into a feature film.
If the aforementioned scenario sounds farfetched, you're probably unaware of the recent success of Uruguayan filmmaker Fede Alvarez. Alvarez uploaded the short video above, entitled "Panic Attack!" which reportedly cost him only about $300 to create. The video was written up in a number of tastemaking blogs and went on to become a viral sensation, spreading like wild-fire and racking up an impressive 1.5 million views in just three short weeks.
Then, the offers started pouring in. The Hollywood Reporter blog reported last month that numerous reputable studios, producers, and agencies put serious effort into trying to line up a meeting with Alvarez following his breakout success online. In the end, Sam Raimi's Ghost House Pictures signed Alvarez to develop and direct an original sci-fi feature with a budget of around $30,000,000.
Stories like these are becoming far more commonplace in Hollywood than they once were. In March 2009, a similar effects-heavy short called "What's in the Box?" was posted on YouTube. The video was seen and spread by thousands of web-surfers, and rumors began making the rounds that the short was part of a viral marketing campaign for the PC game "Half-Life." When it was revealed (make sure to turn on the subtitles for this one - the director speaks Dutch) that the film was just a small-DIY project created for fun with a budget of about $250 by Tim Smit, a physics major in The Netherlands - Twentieth Century Fox immediately reached out and signed Smit to helm an action-adventure film for the studio slated for 2010.
Its clear that the hope is that these young directors will be able to recreate the success of director Neil Blomkamp, whose blockbuster-hit "District 9" was greenlit based on a six-minute short Blomkamp made years ago called "Alive in Joburg."
As a filmmaker who is already well down the traditional path of film school and the festival circuit, it’s easy to view all this with a bit of skepticism. Sure, these shorts demonstrate tremendous post-production and special effects skills (and networking skills - no one should be under the impression that all it takes to create a short like this is a few hundred bucks and some free time - without a doubt, the creators of these films benefited from access to some professional equipment, resources, and personnel), but do they provide any indication at all as to the directors' abilities to tell compelling stories or create memorable characters?
At the same time, with the eventual success of films like "District 9," most producers and studio executives are unlikely to have concerns about story-structure and character development. Furthermore, shorts have paved the way for breakthrough talent and feature films in the past - as evidenced by the success of the Saw franchise and the emergence of Wes Anderson with his original Bottle Rocket short. And maybe they're right; if a filmmaker can attract millions of viewers on a shoestring budget – it’s a strong indication of good things to come with the addition of industry resources, marketing, and distribution.
The one thing that is clear is that the industry as a whole needs to embrace the technologies that are changing the way we create and consume entertainment. It’s easier than it’s ever been to create a film with theatrical production values, upload it to Youtube, and find an audience of millions with almost no production or marketing dollars. I believe we’ll see more and more programs like the Lionsgate Incubator that take advantage of what is already happening online while creating a meaningful gateway to success in the traditional industry.
What do you think? Will online video replace film-festivals as the major platform for new directors to show off their skills and breakthrough? Is an understanding of SFX and CGI becoming as important as basic storytelling and character development? These are exciting times we live in and I’d love to hear your comments!
Suraj Das Writer, Director
Comments (30)
Seo Zheng Intercepted militant the airwaves marketing communications show the first choice from the Pakistani Taliban was mortally wounded in a latest U. S. drone strike, Pakistani Air Jordan Heels intelligence authorities said Saturday. The Taliban endorsed refused that will. The survey coincided using sectarian physical violence — the bomb turbo charge inside asian Pakistan that will mortally wounded 14 persons in a Shiite non secular procession. The claim that this Pakistani Taliban key ended up being mortally wounded came from authorities who said they intercepted a variety of Taliban the airwaves chats. Nike Heels Inside about the 1 / 2 several intercepts, the militants reviewed if their particular key, Hakimullah Mehsud, ended up being mortally wounded on Jan. twelve month period from the North Waziristan tribal place. A number of militants confirmed Nike High Heels Mehsud ended up being dead, your decide one criticized other folks intended for talking about the difficulty on the the airwaves. The authorities spoken on problem with anonymity all around health weren't sanctioned to be able to speak to reporters. Pakistani Taliban spokesman Asimullah Mehsud refused the group's boss ended up being mortally wounded as well Jordan High Heels as said they were from the place the location where the drone strike occurred. At the begining of this year, both equally Pakistani as well as American authorities said they presumed the missile strike had mortally wounded Hakimullah Mehsud across the national boundaries with North as well as South Waziristan. We were looking Jordan Heels at
January 15, 2012Samenzhen Samenzhen come here now.How to buy wholesale Accessories & cheap tablet pc from China: You will enjoy shopping for quality laptops on sale & new android phones at wholesale prices by browsing through the best smart phones of wholesale Accessories & cell phone watch at TradeTang. Look for the best deals on wifi phones & Tablet PC from reliable Chinese Accessories & cell phone charms and suppliers. Find the hair accessories for women that you exactly want. Click on "Register" at the top right of any page to sign up.
December 30, 2011Samenzhen Samenzhen I agree with you! very valuable post. and here i have a ugg boots usa shop which i recommend to all of you,we carry ugg handbags such as ugg grab bags and classic stylish like ugg bailey button black, ugg bailey button chestnut and ugg bailey button chocolate. ugg bailey button grey and ugg bailey button sand are the most popular items, also such as the tall boot like ugg bailey button triplet black, ugg bailey button triplet chestnut and ugg bailey button triplet chocolate, i prefer this two ugg bailey button triplet grey and ugg bailey button triplet sand,we still carry cardy boots like ugg classic cardy black, ugg classic cardy cream and ugg classic cardy grey. they are good for spring and fall.there are still mini boots like December 17, 2011
Samenzhen Samenzhen Art of Knox Street Festival: soldes monster energy Kick off the fall season with live music by Live80 and Special Edition Band and enjoy interactive art, food and wine tasting, promotions and demonstrations from retailers, Juicy Couture Wallets raffles and more. There will be a fashion show featuring pieces from local designer, Terri Ives Couture. Admission is free, so be sure to Vetement Ralph Lauren head over to Knox on Saturday from 4-8pm and do a little wallet damage.
IndieGenius Urban Bazaar: Shop furniture, fashion, Chaussures Lacoste and fabric this weekend at the micro-boutique marketplace. On Saturday from 12 pm to 6 pm and Sunday from 12 pm to 4 pm dozens of independent designers and businesses will be showcasing their handmade, Vestes Moncler locally made and vintage pieces.
Brunello Cucinelli Trunk Show at Stanley Korshak: Friday and Monster Beats Headphones Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm shop the Men’s and Women’s Spring/Summer 2012 collection at Stanley Korshak. Channel your inner Italian with fine wines and Paul Smith Shirts Umbrian-inspired appetizers on Friday evening from 3 pm to 6 pm.
Friends and Chemise DG Pas Cher Family Sale at Kate Spade: Head over to NorthPark this weekend and shop 30% off at Kate Spade. Make sure you say you’re there for the friends and family discount.
Glen Gammons, Jeans Diesel pas cher the former head of JC Penney's Outlet Store Division, will be the CEO of JC's 5 Star Outlet. Gammons worked for JC Penney Company for 40 years.
SB Capital Group, a, December 16, 2011
Sweety Sweety karen millen dresses is really a most suitable choice that you can check out part sophisticated party, elegant or even infomal special event. Waring any wedding karen millen dress to wait that sort with regards to circumstances could make be noticeable one of the crowed. Really Nancy Millen outfit you will be the main goal from your karen millen sales dresses. They may be elegant, ideal for night Fashion Color Dappled karen millen sale Darkblue be with youallow you to research truly attractive. locate out there a lot more relating to great offers after Betty karen millen sale which you’ll want to go for. That is certainly specially the good reason that you want to decide on a purchasing.Usually Nancy karen millen dress obtain needn’t be hard to get on-line.
November 27, 2011Sweety Sweety A fabulous longchamp handbag Cosmetic Bag designer.You need to actually feel the soft,perfect style longchamp handbag at anywhere.This small style cheap longchamp handbag is featured by the different colors and convenient for you.So you sure to be noticed this fashion and cool longchamp handbag sale in our online sale store.From Longchamp Cosmetic Bag Collection, the longchamp handbag outlet makes a terrific traveling companion. Roomy enough for all of your daily essentials the canvas exterior is easy to keep clean and folds down extremely small when not in use. The Longchamp 2011 Bags are trimmed with a leather cowhide and available in numerous stylish colors that make this items popular with frequent travelers. Cheap longchamp handbag Le Pliage Bag Beige 2010 on our longchamp outlet,2011 longchamp shopping online.The cosmetic pouchette bag from longchamp handbag sale is very fashionable and made in france.
November 27, 2011Sweety Sweety
Pen Mont Blanc originated in Germany around the turn of the 19th century. Back then in its early beginnings it was known as the Simplo Fuller Pens Mont Blanc company but it soon went on to change its name and become known as the Mont Blanc and then on to Mont Blanc Pen International GMBH. While this company does design and manufacture a wide range of luxury goods and fashion accessories it is perhaps best known for its exquisitely crafted pens.For decades since its inception Mont Blanc Pens manufactured fountain pens exclusively. However; it wasn’t long after the development of the ball point pen that Pen Mont Blanc began making it available in many of their styles. One little known fact about ball point Pens Mont Blanc is that when they were first invented and brought to market, the new technology was quite expensive.
November 27, 2011Sweety Sweety herve leger is the body shape of Max Azria, which is a famous Paris fashion design house established in 1985. Since 1999, LA BCBG herve leger online took processes. This is the first case, when a French fashion brand has taken on the peak of American designers. leger herve issue develops high-end make the total sequence of a huge complex. In order to create, leger herves sales attractive addition to an interesting style and type of structures have attracted a number of international customers, with many ladies and a superstar, as Hollywood stars, herve leger online this element Sharon Rock, Lindsay Lohan, Catherine Zeta Jones included, as well, and so on. More and more famous female are becoming Herve Leger Dresses enthusiasts. herve leger will be always invariably come into glamour.
November 27, 2011Jasminegentle Jasminegentle Fruta planta original weight loss is not the first day capsule can succeed, and fruta planta it's success and its unique formula and remarkable curative effect is not divided. We see more and more of the person that reduce weigh fruta planta , also benefit from it sincerely, in it and feel excited. A good product, you have to have fruta planta diet pills the upper hand, many conditions can truly to fruta planta pills success. Finally, we come to the expectations of frutaplanta capsule (better performance, official) may be in the near fruta planta reduce weigh fruta planta , we can see its sales to rise fruita planta sharply, boxes, even more. Of course of sales of planta fruta progress is on the one hand fruta planta reduce weight , in quality to ensure your fruta planta competition the upper hand, is vital. Fruta planta weight loss is always taking the quality as capsule their fruta planta weigh loss pills lifeline, can reduce weight to fruta planta diet pill the list of products in the fruta planta slimming capsules top comfortably.
August 24, 2011Goru Martin These days one might argue by pointing at the technological advances made which have the capability to bring strange worlds to life. Why then, would someone still jump off an air-bound chopper, when the same could be created by juxtaposing various shots with work of animation? The answer is simple, reality is always more stunning than fiction. Presence of an expert team also assures the execution of the sequence with all safety measures.
July 4, 2011Sometimes, bad luck may strike the star and the body double, and the consequences might be fatal. Though it isn’t revealed officially in many cases, many filmmakers have also kept the disastrous action sequence that injured either the stunt guy or the actor.
Regards
Watch Movies